Book Buddies ~ A Favorite!
Every year our upper grade students' classes are paired with another class. The students support each other with reading or occasionally math. Below our sixth graders are reading with first graders. #kgpride #StrongerTogether #WeAllBelong
A Note from Administration
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thanks for a wonderful week with your children. In each classroom, we observed morning meetings which builds a strong community of learners. We also observed structures and supports implemented to set the stage for the rest of the school year.
We look forward to seeing all of you at Back to School Night this Wednesday, August 30th. Below, we have given specific information regarding the timing of the evening. You should also expect another email with specific links for an overview of the year for your grade level. If you are unable to attend, you will have this slide deck to reference. The teachers are excited to welcome you to the classroom to review the curriculum and give some insight to the classroom procedures etc.
Below, we have provided information for Opt-Outs. Please click this link to review. Any Opt-Outs should occur by August 31st online. Note that if you have no changes, nothing is required. We have also included the Digital Consent information that also requires your consent. Last but not least, we have included the SR&R information. Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
We will see you on Wednesday evening. #kgpride #StrongerTogether #WeAllBelong
Warmly,
Holly McGuigan Sarah Talley Tia Hawkins
Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal
Dates, Attendance and Office Reminders
Friday, September 1 and Monday September 4 - School is closed for the Labor Day Observance.
Friday, September 22 - First PTA Meeting - 8:45 a.m. Cafeteria
Monday, September 25 - Yom Kippur - School Closed
Monday October 9 - Student Holiday - Teacher Workday
FCPS annual calendar is here.
Attendance link is here. Please do use our links at the Kent Gardens website to notify of tardy, early pick up or absence.
Office Reminders are here for your review.
Kent Gardens also posts pictures weekly on Facebook. Like our site to see pictures of our daily work and activities!
Back to School Night
We are excited about the new school year! On Wednesday, August 30th, we will host our annual Back to School Night for our parents. This evening is for parents and is not intended for children to attend. We will send an additional communication with your grade level slide deck to review prior to the evening. Your teacher(s) will share curriculum overview and other important information for the year. Below is the schedule for the evening:
Grades K-3 Information
- 5:00 pm - 5:40 pm- Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd Grade Meetings with non-Immersion Homeroom Teachers
- 5:30 – 5:55 p.m. – Teacher Switch for p.m. for Immersion (1st/2nd) and 3rd Grade Teachers
- Special Education teachers will be available with grade level classrooms
Parents in Kinder, First and Second may depart or visit the specialists in the times below beginning at 5:45 p.m. or 5:55 p.m. The sessions are informal and will begin at 5:45 pm and end at 6:15 p.m.
Specialists Meetings – Open to K-6 Parents
- 5:45 pm- 6:15 pm- Art, P.E., Music, FLES, Band and Strings in the Gym
- 5:45 pm- 6:15 pm- ESOL teachers, Counselors, Librarian in the Library
- 5:45 pm- 6:15 pm- Special Education teachers available in their respective rooms
- Sessions are informal and open to all parents between the times of 5:45 and 6:15 p.m.
Grades 4-6 Information
- 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm- 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Meetings with Teachers
- Special Education teachers will be available with grade level classrooms
We have included a short video link from Elaine Tholen, our school board representative. Our PTA will be present and ask that you support and join their organization. Visit their website here. Provide any input about how you would like to support here. Your membership supports our efforts to provide valuable programs and activities for KG students and staff throughout the school year. In addition, PTA membership offers one copy of the printed copy of our student directory and voting rights at PTA meetings. We ask that you strongly consider not only joining the PTA but also supporting their One and Done Fundraiser. The suggested donation is $150 per family, but any contribution helps. Contribute by clicking here.
Please be mindful of where you park and be respectful of our neighbors’ driveways. Please walk or carpool if possible. There will be limited parking. Note that there will be law enforcement present and it is important that you follow all traffic norms. We appreciate your kindness and consideration for this busy evening. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Digital Resource Consent
Some FCPS-approved digital resources require parent consent before they can be used by students. Find the list of resources which require consent on the Parent Consent webpage. This page also includes directions for providing permission.
Each digital resource used in FCPS has had an instructional and technical review. Information about the educational technology tools approved for use within FCPS can be found in the online Digital Ecosystem Library.
Parents can find more information about FCPS-approved digital resources on the Digital Resources in FCPS webpage.
Opt-Out Annual Notice
FCPS Annual Notice of Survey, Records, Curriculum, Privacy, and Related Rights and Opt-Out Information can be found in this booklet at this link. Access the link to review detailed information about your opt-out choices which are due no later than Thursday, August 31st. Opt-outs can be completed online.
If you have no objection to the activities described in this booklet, do NOT sign or submit any of the forms.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
FCPS’ Student Rights and Responsibilities document (SR&R) explains expectations for student behavior and adult responses to enhance school safety and to create a fair, equitable, and supportive school environment. In late June, the School Board approved changes to the SR&R for the 2023-24 school year. Updates include a revision of dress code expectations, bystander expectations for students witnessing harmful or unsafe behaviors, bullying, and substance abuse responses. Read Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid’s letter to families regarding the SR&R.
Parents/caregivers should talk to their child(ren) about expectations for this school year. Also, please log in to SIS ParentVUE and sign to acknowledge your review of the SR&R, or sign and return the signature sheet to your child’s school by Friday, September 29.
SIS ParentVUE - How to Access/Update
Be among the first to know about weather closings, bus delays, and other critical communications from FCPS and our school by providing your cell phone number and email in SIS ParentVUE. Make sure you complete the Emergency Care Form for your child every year and update when necessary.
To update your contact information in ParentVUE, click the “Online Packets” tab in the upper right of the screen, then select the “Online Verification/Update” form in the drop down menu. Click “Begin Packet.”
Parents who do not have a SIS ParentVUE account continue to have the option to communicate updates via the normal paper process. They can also print and complete a blank Emergency Care Information Form needed for updates and submit it to the front office.
Support Your Child’s Success
Access your student’s attendance records, grades, and assignments at any time with SIS ParentVUE. Caregivers should receive an activation code when they register their child.
Once you have activated a ParentVUE account for an FCPS student, you will keep the same account until the student graduates. Information about students in the same family can be accessed through the same ParentVUE account. Access SIS ParentVUE by using an app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android devices. Need help creating a SIS ParentVUE account? This video walks through the steps. Find out more about SIS ParentVUE.
Kent Gardens Is Hiring!
We are looking to hire Cafeteria Hostess, Classroom Monitors and Substitutes! If you are interested in any of these positions, please reach out if you have any questions or if you want more information. Here is a link to FCPS’ application portal.
Classroom Monitors: Monitors will work every day students attend throughout the 2023-24 school year, and will directly support classrooms by providing additional supervision/support to students during lunch or in the classroom. The pay is $15.73/hour. Teachers will provide directions/assignments for monitors and students to complete, Apply here and email Sarah Talley, so we can schedule a time to talk more. Please share this opportunity with others who might be interested.
Cafeteria Hostess: We are also looking for Lunchroom Hostess. It is an hourly position. Please contact Tia Hawkins, and she will contact you with respect to hours and how to apply.
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Schoology is Back ~Learn More Here
Kent Gardens is excited to continue in our second year with our new learning management system: Schoology. Schoology is a learning space that enhances face-to-face and distance learning through communication, collaboration, and personalized learning.
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Teachers use Schoology to post their class information online and to assign and collect homework electronically. It helps students stay organized and it keeps the class connected. Parent accounts will be available in mid-August. To access Schoology, parents will need to have an active SIS/ParentVUE account.
More information on how to login and use Schoology is available online.
Parent Accounts - A Schoology Parent Account gives you access to:
- Your child’s classes.
- Your child’s upcoming assignments.
- School, class, and group announcements.
School Safety Drills
Keeping students and staff safe is a priority for FCPS. Each school has an emergency preparedness plan to respond to incidents such as fires and tornadoes. Schools are required by state law to practice emergency drills, including lockdown drills, each year. Schools are also required to notify parents and guardians at least 24 hours before a school conducts a lockdown drill. However, schools are not required to give the specific date and time of the drill in advance.
The first lockdown drill of the school year must take place within the first 20 days of school. Preschool and kindergarten students are exempt from practicing the first lockdown drill.
Your child may come home and talk about their experience during the drill. We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. Please review these frequently asked questions to support your students before and after school lockdown drills
Student Ambassadors and Fourth Graders Show Their #kgpride
Our counselors, Mrs. Fernandez (grades K,2,4,6) and Ms. Altman (grades K,1,3,5), organized our Student Ambassadors to welcome our new students to Kent Gardens. Our fourth graders created #kgpride lions! Check out the creations on Back to School night! Thanks Ms. Waters!
LightSpeed News!
FCPS has tools to help parents know more about their child’s activity on any FCPS device. These tools are provided at no cost to families by Lightspeed, the school division’s internet content filtering service.
Parents may sign up for a weekly Parent Report, which will provide a list of the top sites your child visited. The report also offers parents the ability to sign up for free access to the Internet Use Parent Portal. Through the portal, parents may pause their child’s access to the internet on their FCPS device during non-school hours. Learn more about Lightspeed Parent Reports.
PTA News
We welcome everyone to join our first PTA meeting on September 22nd at 8:45am in the Cafeteria. In the meantime, if you have questions or would like to further get involved, please email kgptapresident@gmail.com
One and Done is Here! Our 2023 goal is $45,000 in 40 days.
Join the PTA now! We have so much to support at the school and look forward to all families joining!
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